Beef Stew

If you are a busy mom like me, you probably dread coming home after a long day and making a big dinner for your family. We usually just make the same old think, day after day and week after week. How to we get out of those same old same old blues, you should make your Crockpot become your best friend. When cooking with a Crockpot you can easily prepare the meal the night before start the Crockpot in the morning before you head out for work and have a hot, delicious home cooked meal waiting for you when you come home.

There are many different variations of crackpots out there, and really any of them will do. You can easily purchase one for about ten to fifteen dollars for a basic one. Mine I bought for about 30 dollars but the convince factor of it truly makes up for the cost. Mine is large enough to hold a large roast or chicken, it has a high, medium, low and warm setting. It also has an automatic shut off time for when the meal will be done and sets it on warm waiting for you. It also has a removable insert that is dishwasher safe that is a definite plus. You also can purchase slow cooker bags (much like turkey roasting bags) that minimize clean up.

One of my favorite meals on a cold winter day is beef stew. It is hardier then a soup, and fills you up. Here is an old classic recipe my mother gave me that I use in my Crockpot.

Slow Cooker Beef Stew:

Ingredients:
1 ½ pounds of beef stew meet 1 inch cubed (usually can purchase pre cut at your grocery store)
12 baby carrots (or 4 medium carrots peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces)
4 white potatoes peeled and cut in chunks
1 onion peeled and quarters
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 beef bouillon cubes
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
2 bay leaves
½ tsp thyme
¼ tsp garlic powder
2 cups of beef broth
1 cup of water
3 tbsp flour

To start brown meat in a skillet in oil until lightly brown on the out side (do not cook all the way through). This step can be skipped if desired, but browning the meat locks in the flavor. In the Crockpot layer carrots, potatoes, onions and browned meat, as a note you should always place your vegetables on the bottom of the Crockpot. Add the Worcestershire sauce, beef bullion and all of the spices (except flour). Pour in broth and water to cover the vegetables and meat. Cook on low temp for 8 to 10 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours. About 30 minutes before you are ready to eat, remove the bay leaves, mix together in a separate bowl the flour and about 1/3 cup of water, add to Crockpot and mix to thicken and make more of a gravy vice broth. Turn the Crockpot up to high and continue to cook an additional 30 minutes. Serve and enjoy.

A warm French bread, you can pick up at any grocery store or some dinner rolls go perfect with this stew.

When it comes to cooking with your Crockpot here are some hints. You can brown meat to lock in the flavors, if you choose not to add 30 minutes to your cooking time to ensure the meat is cooked through. Always place your vegetables on the bottom of the slow cooker so they cook properly. Never open the Crockpot to stir or taste, the heat will escape and you will have to add additional cooking time. The taste of spices are intensified because they cook off slowly, taste your meal 30 minutes before serving if it needs extra flavor add it at this point. And finally, if you need to cook your meal in a faster amount of time, place a piece of tin foil below the lid, it will reflect the heat back down on your meal and it will cook quicker.

Surprise your family with a hardy home cooked meal that makes it seam like you slaved all day in the kitchen. There are many recipes that are quick and easy to make, that will save you time and money and make you a super mom in the kitchen.

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